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Charity Rotch Personal Letters

Page 1

[corresponds to page 1 of letter from Charity Rotch to Elizabeth Rodman, 1787]
If my pen has been silent, my dear Sister, my heart has not
been wanting in tender congradulations, upon the pleasing occasion of they safety
and affectionate participation in the arrival of our dear little Anna;
Tho' the account was not unmixed with kind concern; for thy health, which
I ardently hope eer this is fully restored, & that the sweet source of thy
past painful moments, contributes largely now to thy amusement & joy
cou'd thy sisters join thee in the more arduous part of taking care of the
dear little pledge, it wou'd be a great gratification to them ; but that
pleasure, is deny'd them; & they must [carrot mark] or ought [above carrot mark] silently acquiece with their
dismay; my good brother need not be under any apprehension in regard
to the name. I am far from expecting mine to be given to any of
the little, progeny & shou'd be much less desirous [carrot mark] for it [above carrot mark] than even I now am
if I possess'd the belief that the propertys of the person cou'd be convey'd
with, or was entail'd upon it. May the sweet little creatures ever
retain their innocence & prove indeed a blessing to you both. When
I recollect their [carrot mark] & helpless infancy [above carrot mark] little endearing actions it awakens the solicitude & increases
the tenderness of an affectionate aunt. whose desire is not in the least aba
[illegible]ted, that their steps may be directed aright while inhabitants of this
transitory scene. But very few are favour'd to walk upright throu'
[word crossed out] a continued [written above] sucession of years, without making very many deviations & so
great is our frailty that we have hardly reason to expect [two words crossed out]
unless [two words crossed out] peculiarly favour'd with the care of heaven.
I have wrote my dear a miserable scrawle, cousin James &
H. Minturn present; their sociability has often interrupted me; thee can
make I doubt not every allowance for it; & will I hope accept it in the
love that it is wrote, as that is the only recommendation my letters can boast
Jay Harris call'd upon us to day; he yesterday attended his brothers wedding; there
was a considerable number of guests, M Robinson had an invitation & comply'd
therewith; the parties I believe perform'd their parts very well; Pelig & Katy
made a pretty appearance, the meeting was very large & fil'd in the great part.
the day was very pleasant; mama & cousin Thurston were overseers, they had too a
pretty large number: Its bedtime, Hannah hurrys me & I must bid thee adieu

[corresponds to page 1 of letter from Charity Rotch to Elizabeth Rodman, 1787]
If my pen has been silent, my dear Sister, my heart has not
been wanting in tender congradulations, upon the pleasing occasion of they safety
and affectionate participation in the arrival of our dear little Anna;
Tho' the account was not unmixed with kind concern; for thy health, which
I ardently hope eer this is fully restored, & that the sweet source of thy
past painful moments, contributes largely now to thy amusement & joy
cou'd thy sisters join thee in the more arduous part of taking care of the
dear little pledge, it wou'd be a great gratification to them ; but that
pleasure, is deny'd them; & they must [carrot mark] or ought [above carrot mark] silently acquiece with their
dismay; my good brother need not be under any apprehension in regard
to the name. I am far from expecting mine to be given to any of
the little, progeny & shou'd be much less desirous [carrot mark] for it [above carrot mark] than even I now am
if I possess'd the belief that the propertys of the person cou'd be convey'd
with, or was entail'd upon it. May the sweet little creatures ever
retain their innocence & prove indeed a blessing to you both. When
I recollect their [carrot mark] & helpless infancy [above carrot mark] little endearing actions it awakens the solicitude & increases
the tenderness of an affectionate aunt. whose desire is not in the least aba
[illegible]ted, that their steps may be directed aright while inhabitants of this
transitory scene. But very few are favour'd to walk upright throu'
[word crossed out] a continued [written above] sucession of years, without making very many deviations & so
great is our frailty that we have hardly reason to expect [two words crossed out]
unless [two words crossed out] peculiarly favour'd with the care of heaven.
I have wrote my dear a miserable scrawle, cousin James &
H. Minturn present; their sociability has often interrupted me; thee can
make I doubt not every allowance for it; & will I hope accept it in the
love that it is wrote, as that is the only recommendation my letters can boast
Jay Harris call'd upon us to day; he yesterday attended his brothers wedding; there
was a considerable number of guests, M Robinson had an invitation & comply'd
therewith; the parties I believe perform'd their parts very well; Pelig & Katy
made a pretty appearance, the meeting was very large & fil'd in the great part.
the day was very pleasant; mama & cousin Thurston were overseers, they had too a
pretty large number: Its bedtime, Hannah hurrys me & I must bid thee adieu